Stock rear tire swing

[1990silverbullet]

So I have a scrap runner that has the stock tire swing. I want to mount it to my other runner that doesn't have the swing. I noticed that when I took off the swing that there is a bracket on the inside of the body. I took out the tail light to see if there is any way to get to it but there isn't. I was wondering if anyone has done this and if so did you have to cut out the top of tail light housing to be able to get to the bolts?do I have to built a bracket like that or does the body have enough strength to keep it up without bending? any feed back would be greatly appreciated

 

[McLean]

So I have a scrap runner that has the stock tire swing. I want to mount it to my other runner that doesn't have the swing. I noticed that when I took off the swing that there is a bracket on the inside of the body. I took out the tail light to see if there is any way to get to it but there isn't. I was wondering if anyone has done this and if so did you have to cut out the top of tail light housing to be able to get to the bolts?do I have to built a bracket like that or does the body have enough strength to keep it up without bending? any feed back would be greatly appreciated

Never done it, but I doubt it would last long without that bracket. The sheetmetal is pretty thin and I bet it will rip out pretty quick.

 

[mikeatx]

I swapped tailgates and added a stock swing arm to my '91. Some folks cut out the stock bracing. I made my own out of flat stock and a piece of angle iron. No problems. It really wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. Go in from the passenger side storage compartment. If you make your own use the mounting brackets on the swing arm as a template for the proper curve and for welding nuts to line up with the holes you'll need to drill.

 

[1990silverbullet]

I swapped tailgates and added a stock swing arm to my '91. Some folks cut out the stock bracing. I made my own out of flat stock and a piece of angle iron. No problems. It really wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. Go in from the passenger side storage compartment.

Do you maybe have a picture of the bracket?and do you think it would be easier to drill holes and try and put it on my tail gate or would it be easier to put the tailgate that already has the latch on it? Also does the bracket bolt to anything inside the quarter panel such as something structural? Thank you for your response.

 

[mikeatx]

I swapped tailgates for a cleaner look and the reverse lights. It really wasn't too bad. I painted the tailgate shell to match and then just swapped everything from the old one over to the new one. Start to finish took about 5 hours to have everything closed up and working. You'll have to do some cutting to get the bracket installed onto your existing tailgate and you'll still have holes where the license plate was as well as different reverse lights.

I don't have a picture of the bracket but once you get in and look at the original one it isn't too hard to replicate something that will work. There's a vertical support inside the body that you can tie into. Just take all the trim and storage compartment out and it should make sense. Mine is really stout with a tire and 5 gallons of fuel.